Pedro Ramos, a
partner with Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, has been
named vice president and Chief of Staff at Penn, President Judith
Rodin announced. He will begin his new position in January.

Reporting directly
to Dr. Rodin, he will play a key role in senior-level decision making
and serve as a senior policy advisor on short-term and longer-range
issues.

"Pedro Ramos is
a proven leader with extensive policy-making experience and a demonstrated
commitment to the principles of education," said Dr. Rodin. "His legal,
business, and civic experience equip him with a wealth of skills and
seasoned judgment that are an excellent match for his new responsibilities.
We are absolutely delighted about his decision to join the senior
leadership team at Penn."

At Ballard Spahr
since 1992, a substantial portion of his practice has included advising
colleges, universities, hospitals and large not-for-profit organizations.

"Pedro has been
an outstanding lawyer at Ballard Spahr and has been an outstanding
civic leader in Philadelphia," said David Cohen, Ballard Spahr chairman.
"I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding addition to the excellent
management team at Penn."

Mr. Ramos, 36,
has served two one-year terms as president of the Philadelphia school
board and three as vice president. In addition to his role with the
Board of Education, he serves on the boards of Congreso de Latinos
Unidos, Inc., Mellon PSFS, and Philadelphia Futures. He has received
the Leon J. Obermeyer Award and was selected as an Eisenhower Exchange
Fellow.

He earned his
B. A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and his J.D.
degree from the University of Michigan in 1992.